Anthropologie in Christiana Mall: Women’s Fashions and Accessories

A crash course in one of the hottest stores for women

While shoppers in the know were slipping up to Philadelphia for their fix of Anthropologie, the unenlightened plodded through the usual retail offerings for women’s fashion and accessories. No more.

Anthropologie has come to Christiana Mall. Rejoice. The upscale boutique-furnishings-accessories store offers everything a woman could want. If there were food on the premises, you could live here.

Behold warm-weather tops by Lili’s Closet, polka dot shifts by Girls From Savoy, striped pullovers by Deletta, and camp shorts in coral, gold or khaki by Paperboy. If you need advice on how to pull it all together, check out the “Modern Vintage Style” book.

Modern-vintage is, in fact, an apt description of the Anthropologie vibe. Fashions run from vaguely hippie to fully 2011, with some classic nautical pieces, trendy safari-style cardigans by Bordeaux Los Angeles and denim from J Brand Jeans. And that’s just the start. Relax on brightly printed bedding by Distant Voyage while you ponder a volume of “Love: Quotes from the Heart.” Enjoy the fragrance of jar candles by Capri Blue, choose from many dinnerware patterns or sift through a collection of Country French enamel cabinet pulls.

With more than 130 stores opened since Anthropologie debuted in Wayne, Pa., in 1992, we’re wondering what took the company so long to reach Delaware. But what good is wondering? Let’s go shopping. —Mark Nardone